Safety Checkpoint Scheduled Early Wednesday Morning

The Temple Terrace Police Department is hosting a multiagency Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 1, at 50th Street, north of Fowler Avenue.

The checkpoint will begin at 1 a.m., and additional units will be conducting a saturation patrol in the area between midnight and 4 a.m., according to a press release from the City of Temple Terrace. The effort will include the Temple Terrace Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and University of South Florida Police Department.

“The Temple Terrace Police Department recognizes that Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious public safety problem and that Hillsborough County has consistently ranked among the top counties in the state for alcohol-related crashes,” the release states.

“The goal of Wednesday morning’s checkpoint is to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, injuries and fatalities on Florida roadways by conducting high-visibility enforcement operations and increasing public awareness of the state’s DUI-related incidents.”

Underage drinking is a widespread problem in Florida, the release states. According to the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, there were an estimated 83 traffic fatalities and 3,345 non-fatal traffic injuries attributable to underage drinking-and-driving in 2009.

Did you know?

• The legal drinking age in Florida is 21. Anyone under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol can be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to court fees, fines and other lasting consequences.

• Drivers under the age of 21 should keep in mind that if they are caught with a Blood Alcohol Content level of .02 or higher, their license will be suspended for six months.

• A second offense results in a one-year suspension. The first offense for refusing to submit to testing results is a 12-month license suspension, and a second offense results in an 18-month suspension.

• Possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle (in motion or stopped) by the driver and/or the passenger(s) is a violation of Florida law.

Planning on drinking? Keep safe by following these tips:

• Plan ahead. Always designate a sober driver before any drinking begins, or take a taxi or public transportation if you plan to drink alcohol. A taxi or bus ride is much cheaper than a DUI citation.

• Take the keys. Do not let an impaired friend drive.

• Mind your meds. Heed the warning labels on prescription medicine bottles, because even legal drugs can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

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